The Alpha's Fated Outcast: Rise Of The Moonsinger. Chapter 324: The Ultimatum

Ramsey

I sat across from Elder Thorne, neither of us speaking as we sized each other up. His face showed no emotion as he stared straight into my eyes, the only resemblance between him and Cassidy.

I schooled my features to hide the turmoil Lyla's rejection had caused. I had almost not attended the eting because I was heartbroken, but I was the Lycan Leader, and my position didn't care about my emotions.

Finally, I broke the silence.

"Everyone out," I ordered the room. "Leave us."

Caius imdiately leaned towards , whispering into my ears, "Alpha, I don't think you should be alone with him. He could have weapons, or who knows what other sches he has up his sleeves."

"It's fine, Caius," I murmured without taking my eyes off Elder Thorne. "It's fine," I repeated firmly. "Go."

He hesitated for another second before leaving the room, he and the warriors that ca with Elder Thorne.

I leaned forward once the room emptied, leaving just and Elder Thorne. "Is this really about not keeping the agreent and marrying Cassidy, or is there more?"

He scoffed, eyeing with pure disdain. "Even if you were served to on a golden plate, I would never take you as a son-in-law. This whole marriage saga was my wife's idea entirely, and your grandfather bought it."

I nodded, "Then why do you have your warriors in front of my pack's gate? What's the occasion? Why didn't you send warriors when I sent ssages about the Dark One's forces? I asked for help multiple tis."

He laughed dryly, eting my gaze. "You are fighting a lost battle, Ramsey Kincaid. You won't win, and you know it. You won't win against the Dark One. I know that much. Plus, I'm simply fulfilling the prophecy."

"Prophecy?" I prodded, though I suspected I knew what was coming.

"Your grandfather didn't ntion it to you, did he?" Thorne's eyes glead. "That you might be a bastard? The White Moon Throne doesn't belong to you in the first place. All that talk about it choosing you is true, but you're too slow in doing what is required of you."

I nodded slowly. "So, I've heard. My grandfather told many stories, but I've chosen not to believe because none of you have been truthful, and I won't trust your reports alone until I see hardcore evidence. But is that truly why you've brought all your warriors here?"

His expression darkened. "Your grandfather and his fathers before him stole sothing from us. Many things, but one in particular—the Standing Stone. It's been hidden inside the Moon Temple for generations and was brought here by the High Priestess during the last Harvest Moon Celebration."

I let my gaze rake his entire length, wondering what he was talking about. He sounded sane. His voice was the sa, his pupils were not dilated. He was normal, at least to . Were my fears true? Had the Dark One gotten to Elder Thorne, too?

"What standing stones are you talking about?" I asked. And why do you need it urgently? If I recall, there are a few in White Lake. I know this because we walked past its alcove when the cleansing ritual had to be perford for Lyla."

"No," he shook his head, leaning backwards in his chair. "The Standing Stone and not the standing stones. It's just one stone, Ramsey, and it's the key to controlling the White Moon Throne."

I paused for a minute, staring at him, wondering if my ears were tricking .

"And what will you do with this stone?" I asked.

"What else?" he scoffed. "I want to make a bargain with the Dark One. Turns out he's not as unreasonable as the stories make him seem. I guess he's tired of waiting for you to take the initiative and be mated to Cassidy. Only your union can unleash the power of the White Moon Throne."

"This nonsense again," I scoffed. "You don't have to resort to lying…"

"I am not lying, Ramsey," he looked serious. "Cassidy is a trueblood and cos from a generation of Lycan Leaders who once occupied the White Moon Throne. Everyone here, be it from White Hill or White Cloud, is connected to my great-grandmother Ellara. To unlock the power of the White Moon Throne, you must sit on it with a child born from Ellara's loins. I am one, and my wife is another too."

"Are you confessing that you married your sibling?"

He laughed. "That's what we all are, Ramsey. You're an affair between your great-grandfather, although he wasn't from around here, and my great-grandmother Ellara. That's why he could pass you off as Elaine's child based on resemblance. She was barren; she could never bear children."

I stared at him, wondering how to react.

"We're not called White Mountain Region for nothing. It's because we're siblings. Everyone who lives here today is a link to Ellara White. We're all her children. Different surnas, a few of us married outside the region, but it's still one blood. For the power of the White Moon Throne to be fully accessed, children from the White Mountain Region must sit on it."

"But I heard its power has been greatly rigged. Generations of sacrifice using the pheromones of innocent Ogas," I fired back. "I don't believe you."

"It was a way to strengthen its powers and our claim to it, but believe , its power is real. That is the thing the Dark One has been after for the longest ti. The last ti the power of the White Moon Throne was used…" he paused for a minute. "Ellara and her twin sister Elaine. They won a lot of battles with it, made the werewolves submit and a lot of things. Anyways, there's another way to activate this power."

"By using this so-called standing stone?"

"Yes," he nodded. The Dark One has so of it, but the last piece—the Luna stone—is missing from his collection."

"That's practically handing over the Throne to him. Don't you want to claim it? Isn't it your desire to rule?"

He laughed. "I'm not foolish, Ramsey. I only said I wanted the stone as a bargaining chip, and of course, to rule again. I'm tired of putting up with your side of the family. All the n are weak. Your grandfather was promising, but the Throne never accepted him. Your father was…"

"And this stone is here in White Moon?" I asked, interrupting him. I was tired of the la stories about my father.

"Yes," he nodded.

"And you believe taking the stone will give you control of the throne?"

"I know it will." Thorne leaned forward. "The stone recognises true leadership blood. With it, I can prove my family's rightful claim and restore balance to the region. I will also teach you how to be a Lycan Leader, not this sham you've been doing all this ti. I'm sick of it."

I considered this new information. The stone explained Elder Thorne's timing and desperation. He wasn't just after the Throne—he was after legitimacy itself, and I know he wasn't also telling the truth.

On one hand, he wants to rule; on the other, he wants a stone as a bargaining chip. The only thing that was true here was that he wanted to rule. I didn't believe him one bit about this so-called Luna Stone.

In any case, I was done listening to his lies.

"You have two choices," I said, standing to face him properly. "Join your warriors with mine and fight the Dark One together, or—"

Elder Thorne scoffed. "I would never fight for you."

I shrugged. "Then you've automatically chosen the second option."

At my signal, the door opened. Five of my most trusted warriors entered the room, moving purposefully toward Elder Thorne. He started to rise, but they were faster, grabbing his arms and forcing them behind his back. They secured him with specially crafted silver cuffs that weakened imdiately.

"What is this?" Thorne demanded, struggling.

"I'm arresting you for treason," I stated calmly. "You've brought an army to attack your allied pack during a crisis. Not just that, but also the seat of power of the White Mountain region. You've refused to aid us against the Dark One. You've admitted to plotting to seize control of the White Moon Throne."

"My warriors won't—"

"Your warriors will serve , as their oaths demand," I interrupted. "They're bound to the White Mountain Region and the Lycan Leader. That's , not you."

Realisation dawned on Thorne's face, his eyes widening in shock and anger.

"You can't do this!"

"I already have." I nodded to my warriors. "Take him to the dungeons. Make sure he's comfortable—he's still an Elder, even if he's a traitor."

As they dragged him toward the door, Thorne called back, "My family will destroy you! My mate won't let you—"

"Coming from the father of a murdered. Did Cassidy ntion she stabbed my mate in the back during battle?"

"This is not over, Ramsey Kincaid," he shouted as he dragged him out, but I didn't care. I knew I was doing the right thing.